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KAPIOLANI 

A TALE OF HAWAII 



BY 

M. E. WELSH 



THE 



Sbbey Press 

PUBLISHERS 

114 

FIFTH AVENUE 

Conaoo NEW YORK IHontrcal 



THE LIBHArtY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two CoWit) Rtcwve^ 

cuAseCXxXXo Wo. 

COPY 8. 






Copyright, iges, 

by 

TI12 

nbh'iy pre 99. 



KAPIOLANI. 



I. 



WHERE the island of Hawaii 
Is encircled by the great sea, 
And the fires of Mauna Loa, 
Like a deep and red aurora 
On the midnight sky reflected, 
Mariners have oft directed 
From afar upon the ocean. 
There with violent commotion 
The plutonic agitation 
Held in fear a savage nation. 

Breaking from the seething fountain 
Molten lava down the mountain 
Rushing like a fiery river 
Overflowing plains that quiver, 
Falls at last from high cliffs pouring 
With a strange and mighty roaring. 
3 



Kapiolani, 

And the snorting floods retreating 
Toss their manes in wrathful greeting. 

There with triple guard surrounded 
Burns and smokes a lake unsounded, 
Where, 'twas said that, Pele raging 
And in hellish dance engaging 
With the demons that attend her, 
Vengeful 'gainst each bold offender 
Of her dread tcbu, from the surging 
Of the fiery waves emerging 
And the flaming billow^s swelling 
Of KiLAUEA, her dwelling, 
Oft with death and devastation. 
In her passionate elation 
Shaking all the land and ocean. 
Rushed with great terrific motion. 

There amid the rolling thunder 
Of the lava heaved asunder. 
Molten mass on black walls dashing, 
Lurid flames in frightful flashing. 
Hurled by them by Pele bidden, 
From the cavern deep and hidden, 
Angry flames in fitful gleaming, 
Cut the murky vapors steaming 



A Tale of H awaii. 

From the pit, its depths concealing. 

And where o'er the ledge congealing 
Streams the shrouds of Pele's long hair 
In the rarified and cold air 
Dark clouds hung her wrath reflecting, 
So that all her power respecting 
Came with offering and oblation, 
Came with tribute of a nation 
To avert her wrath impending, 
Stay her anger death portending. 

There upon the isle Hawaii 
Brave, dark queen, Kapiolani, 
Subject of my rhyming story, 
Won herself immortal glory. 



Kapiolani, 



11. 



ON this island of Hawaii, 
Tropic isle amid the wide sea, 
Where the ever blooming flowers 
Drink the sunshine and the showers. 
And the graceful climbing creepers, 
Like fair groups of virgin weepers 
Chanting low their griefs intoning 
To the warm breeze softly moaning, 
Sway their arms together twining, 
To the time their heads inclining, 
And as screw pine tortuous growing. 
With its roots in waters flowing. 
So the forests green, undying, 
Bright plumed birds within them flying- 
There in undisturbed seclusion 
Pele reigned nor feared intrusion. 

Darkness o'er the land was brooding, 
Darkness all the souls including 
6 



A Tale of Hawaii. 

Of an abject race had bound them 

Slaves to terrors, lurking round them, 

Darkness like the mists enfolding 

The volcano's top and holding 

The sulphureous, deathly gases 

In their black and sluggish masses. 

Smoky clouds that hung obscuring 

O'er Kilauea alluring 

To its life destroying fountains 

Spirits roving o'er the mountains. 

So a heavy superstition. 
Long sustained by priests' ambition, 
Held the people so deceiving 
With vain promise of relieving 
Them from perils there abounding 
In the earth and sea surrounding. 
In the air and clouds above them 
And from her who did not love them, 
Wrathful Pele who destroyed them 
And with direful ills annoyed them. 
That with servile acts obeying, 
Incantation loud and praying. 
Off' ring and propitiation 
Prostrate came the savage nation. 



Kapiolani, 

Hearing all the roar and rattle 
Of that dreadful hidden battle, 
Dreading her they came and fearing. 
All her followers, the veering, 
Treach'rotis winds and waves tempestuous, 
Them who clad in robes asbestuous 
Hurled the glittering bolts Avith thunder 
Also stirred the fires that under 
Earth's thin crust were ever glowing, 
Him who steam and vapor blowing 
From the fissures sometimes breaking 
Through the ground, and him who shaking 
All the heavens sent the torrents. 
Rain of Night and sweeping torrents, 
Served with heathenish devotion. 
Isolated by the ocean. 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



III. 



CO this island of Hawaii 
Came at last from o'er the great sea 
Ships with noble men and daring, 
Stern of visage, bold, sea-faring, 
Who, fierce Pele's power despising, 
Came without her priests apprising. 
Without off'rings came and peering 
Boldly in her sacred dwelling 
Saw the liquid fires there swelling. 
Boiling cauldrons seething, smoking — 
At the prayer and invoking 
Of her priests, 'twas said, th' offended 
Goddess rose, with death attended, 
To destroy the soul transgressing. 
But these men, so strange, aggressing 
On her boundaries forbidden. 
Gazed upon her terrors hidden 
J? 



Kapiolani, 

And without propitiation, 

Safe returned before the nation. 

So the people wond'ring greatly 
At the men with mien so stately, 
Men whom Pele was allowing 
To approach her, came and bowing, 
Worshiped them as Gods new rising. 
Worshiped them base rites devising. 



^0 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



IV. 



?ROM that far off isle Hawaii 
Came the men upon the great sea, 
Came unto their home returning 
Whence they sailed, its pleasures spurning, 
Choosing hardships, toils and dangers 
And to pass their days as strangers 
On the ocean rocking billows 
Where at night they pressed their pillows, 
Of their loved ones sadly dreaming 
'Neath the pale moon's ghostly beaming. 

To that port the ships returning — 
From afar their masts discerning 
On the shore their friends collecting, 
Watched the sails from waves deflecting, 
And the ships now proudly riding, 
Which the men with skill were guiding. 

Straight their prows came to the landing, 
'Gainst the sky the masts all standing 
U 



Kapiolani, 

With the gray sails gently swelhng 
In the ocean breeze propeUing. 

Thus the ships with men great-hearted 
Reached the land from whence they started. 
Happy was that longed for meeting ! 
Glad the sailors' hearty greeting ! 
Round the hearth and board all listened, 
Bright eyes dimmed with tears oft glistened, 
They adventures sad relating, 
Of privation nothing bating. 
And of lands so strange oft telling, 
And of stranger men there dwelling, 
Who, in savage wildness living. 
Fierce, vindictive, unforgiving. 
And who fiendishly are boasting 
Of the foes they killed, and roasting, 
Ate with hellish orgy shameful. 

They with hearts and lives all blameful, 
Stained with blood of victims human, 
Worshiped Gods that can illumine 
But by hate's swift, angry flashing. 

Cunning priests the conscience lashing 
In that land by fraud and terror, 
Rule the men so bound in error. 



J2 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



^ND upon the isle Hawaii, 
Fruitful isle amid the great sea. 
Was the breadfruit and the cocoa. 

As where north from th' Orinoco, 
Warm and balmy winds are blowing 
On the island groups are growing. 
Luscious fruits wdiose rich redundance 
Fills the toilers with abundance, 
So this isle, all gay with flowers 
And the drooping fern tree's bowers, 
Fragrant wath their sweet effusion, 
Brought forth fruit in rare profusion. 

Sad that o'er the rich fruition 
Reigned a hateful superstition. 
Cursing all so fair in seeming 
Where the earth with fruit was teeming! 

Pity for those so degraded, 
For a people heavy laded, 
^3 



Kapiolani, 

Moved the hearts of those who listened,'' 
Those who in his name were christened, ' 
Who, in condescending kindness, 
Sought to cure man's woful blindness. 
Who, so reads the ancient story, 
Left the heavenly realms of glory, 
By obedience and suff'ring 
Purchased grace he now is off'ring 
Through his saints to every nation — 
To the whole world free salvation. 



H 



A Tale of Hawaii, 



VI. 

CHEN unto the isle Hawaii 
Sent they men across the wide sea. 

Messengers of Christ's salvation 
Sent they to that hlinded nation. 

All their lives to him resigning 
Who his courts forever shining 
Left to keep the great commission, 
To procure their sins' remission 
And redeem from its destruction 
All who hearing his instruction 
Turned them from the things forhidden, 
From their evil thoughts, things hidden, 
Unto God supreme, omniscient, 
First, sole cause, all wise, efficient, 
God Almighty, universal — 
Went that hand with the rehearsal 
Of the wondrous full redemption 
That from death can give exemption. 
J5 



Kapiolani, 

In Christ's love they crossed the ocean 
Strong in faith and faith's devotion 
For the long days full of trial, 
For the years of self denial. 

Love of kindred hearts still sweetest, 
Intercourse of friends still meetest, 
Joys of hearts with feeling tender 
They with willingness surrender. 

For the arduous toil faith nerved them, 
Living faith that likewise served them 
As a motive for their labor — 
For Christ's sake they loved their neighbor. 

In his gracious Spirit going 
In his name the good word sowing, 
They believing went forth weeping. 
Their reward safe in his keeping 
Who is Lord supreme forever, 
Whose word fails his people never. 



i6 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



VII. 

SO, upon the isle Hawaii, 
Taught the men from o'er the great sea, 
Patiently the words repeating, 
Scant encouragement oft meeting, 
Through the Spirit's power hoping 
That the minds of blind men groping 
Feebly through their ancient errors 
Thralled and fettered by the terrors 
Of unholy superstition 
Might at last reach faith's fruition. 

They in meek dependence w^aiting 
Saw truths gradual penetrating 
Souls at voice of God awaking. 
And perceived the guilty quaking 
Penitent and conscience stricken 
By the wondrous words that quicken 
Dead souls into life immortal. 

As upon the bright day's portal 
J7 



Kapiolani, 

Sun, its Lord, in power rising 
Night's dark shadows exorcising 
By the magic of his shining — 
He his march resumes incHning 
By majestic silent power 
To himself each plant and flower, 
And his warming beams diffusing 
Into life new life infusing 
Renovates earth's surface daily 
With the flowers blooming gaily, 
So Christ's gospel that was spreading, 
And his Spirit's influence shedding 
Holy light the night dispelling 
In the hearts of men there dwelling. 
Roused their wills to noble striving, 
And with mighty power reviving 
God's lost image in their being 
That to Christ were led for seeing 
All their souls renewed adorning 
Them with beauty of life's morning. 



n 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



VIII. 

CHEN upon the isle Hawaii, 
Isle volcanic 'mid the great sea, 
Pele's dread tabu was broken. 

Gave Kilauea no token. 

Pele all her wrath restraining 
And her priests forbearance feigning, 
Saw her worship all deserted. 

She no vengeful power exerted, 
While her ancient temples mouldered. 

Yet within the crater smouldered, 
In the caverns deep and hollow 
Latent fires that wont to follow 
At her bidding growled and muttered. 

And her servants angry uttered, 
As of old, their incantations, 
Raving 'gainst these strange mutations. 

For their devil worship leaving 
Many on the Word believing, 
J9 



Kapiolani, 

Word of Christ that brought salvation — 
He himself sin's expiation — 
Heartily obeyed its teaching, 
Giving heed unto the preaching 
Of the earnest missionary. 

To their savage lives contrary 
All their acts were marked by meekness — 
Not a craven hearted weakness — 
In their souls grown greater, stronger 
Under wrong forbore they longer. 

In their hearts the law of kindness, 
Little known in days of blindness, 
All their lives now ever guiding, 
Brought God's peace on them abiding. 

And his might with strength endued them, 
While his grace each day renewed them. 

So the heathen greatly wondered 
That from Pele's worship sundered 
This new power their souls was freeing 
From her tabu death decreeing. 

O'er that isle the day was breaking, 
And the souls of men awaking. 
Saw the glory of its dawning. 

O'er the dreadful darkness yawning, 



20 



A Tale of Hawaii, 

And Kilauea's lurid burning, 
They the purer light discerning, 
Hailed the morning ray propitious 
Advent of the day auspicious 
That their night was sure dispelling. 

Yet around her sacred dwelling, 
Pele wrapped her clouds sulphurous, ) 
And her threats of acts injurious, 
Still the people kept in terror. 

Strong was still the ancient error, 
So that to approach her dwelling, 
Where the pent-up wTath was swelling, 
There was none with heart so daring. 

E'en though with the lips declaring 
All her priestess' power pretended. 
None yet felt himself defended 
From the ills that lurked about her, 
And at best was but a doubter. 



21 



Kapiolani, 



IX. 



CHEN the brave queen of Hawaii, 
Noble, true Kapiolani, 
From the ancient kings descended, 
In whose veins the blood was blended 
Of great warriors stout hearted, 
Whose brave deeds had strength imparted 
To her kingdom in the ocean, 
'Mid the battle's wild commotion, 
God's firm promises believing, 
And his word supreme receiving 
From the Christian missionary 
Left the old traditionary 
Ceremonials of her nation. 

Then with royal proclamation 
Was the dread tabu abolished, 
Pele's images demolished, 
All the false priests disregarded, 
And the heathen gods discarded. 
22 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



That mysterious vengeful power 
At which they were wont to cower. 
Was rebuked, and Pele had retreated 
To the caverns deep and heated 
Of Kilauea, and hiding 
In the live coals there abiding, 
Still was feared by all the nation 
As of old ere Christ's salvation 
Was proclaimed with life eternal — 
Safety from the fires infernal. 

Then the queen Kapiolani, 
Noble, brave queen of Hawaii, 
Excellent in understanding, 
With majestic mien commanding, 
Fearless, Pele's claim rejecting, 
With her fancy disconnecting 
The volcanic ebullition, 
And the gaseous emission. 
From the fire waves evolution, 
Calmly formed the resolution 
Of completely demonstrating 
To her friends in doubt debating 
That the goddess was unable 
To destroy, herself a fable. 



23 



Kapiolani, 

And Kilauea, the crater, 
At the mandate of a greater 
Liquid fires and flames ejected. 

For the Lord all things directed, 
Varying forces, hail and torrent, 
Gases unseen and abhorrent. 
That appeared death's subtle essence, 
Or the furious effervescence, 
Of volcanic floods deep hidden, 
And their forces could unbidden 
By Jehovah never harm them, 
Nor could unknown fears alarm them. 
If their lives to him confiding. 
They in faith v^ere firm abiding. 

Thus her confidence declaring 
Kapiolani, true and daring. 
To descend at once decided 
To the place where she presided, 
There to challenge Pele's power, 
Where Kilauea's smoke clouds lower, 
Challenge there her own existence, 
Dare her vengeance or resistance. 



24 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



X. 



CHEN the priestess of Hawaii, 
Pele's priestess spake : 

O fly thee 
Queen! The goddess has grown furious, 
Vexed by those oft prying curious, 
O'er the boundaries infencing 
Her deep mysteries, incensing 
Jealousy by gaze of mortals. 

Know that if her sacred portals 
Should be touched by any other 
Than her priestess she would smother 
With that steam the one offending. 
See the clouds her wrath portending! 
And e'en now the angry mutter — 
List! I hear her hoarsely utter 
Threats of vengeance on thy daring.' 
Yet thy lofty rank still sparing, 
25 



Kapiolani, 

And her fury yet restraining, 
'Roused by act of thy disdaining 
Sends she, grace with fury blending. 
Warning thee against descending, 
Bids thee now to turn back quickly. 
Lest around thee gathering thickly 
Frightful forms and deathly terrors 
Recompense thy impious errors. 

Render now propitiation 
For the solemn preparation, 
By our laws traditionary, 
Still required and necessary 
For the mortal her approaching 
Lest thus carelessly encroaching 
On these walls her fires confining 
For thy impious designing. 
Thou shouldst fail to find protection. 
Suffer death for thy defection. 

Heed thee now and swift returning 
Save thyself from this fierce burning. 



26 



A Tale of Hawaii, 



XL 



CHEN the good queen of Hawaii 
To the priestess of false Pele, 
Answering her denunciation : 

I without propitiation 
Venture near to Pele's dwelhng. 
You a message have been telhng 
That by her was never spoken. 
She is false. She gives no token, 
Knows not aught that's here transpiring. 
You with falsehood are conspiring. 
Stay your threatening. I am going 
To that lake whose fire waves flowing 
Redden all these clouds with flashes, 
Whose soft molten lava dashes 
'Gainst the blackened walls, as breakers 
Of the ocean's strength partakers, 
Strike the cliffs with waves concurrent. 
Through volcanic forces errant 
27 



Kapiolani, 

To the deep pits now impelling 
To the margin sometimes swelling. 
From the pit the flames there surging 
Move not by false Pele's urging. 
You do speak but words of lying. 
Her pretended power defying 
I, her images discarded, 
And her worship disregarded, 
Honor not your rights pretended. 

Your petitions, if now ended 
I will dare false Pele's terrors, 
And expose your harmful errors, 
Your false teaching to my nation. 

Raving loud with incantation, 
Pele's priestess then assuming 
Power o'er the fires consuming 
Threatened mute the lips to render 
That should disrespect engender, 
Threatened Pele's direful vengeance 
'Gainst her if by dread contingence 
She should to the pit descending 
Where the flame and smoke were blending. 
And the liquid fires were swelling. 
There should desecrate her dwelling. 



25 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



Then the brave Kapiolani, 
Dark of eye, with cheek all tawny, 
Flushed with holy inspiration, 
Heeding not her declamation, 
And her threatening disregarding 
Her advance not long retarding 
To the priestess, madly cursing 
She the scripture truth rehearsing — 
Her firm step not long delaying — 
Raised her eyes to heaven praying 
For the shield of God's salvation, 
For his smile of approbation, 
Of his mighty love this token 
That Pele's power might be broken. 



19 



Kapiolani, 



XII. 

CHEN the people of Hawaii 
Came and prayed : 

O Queen deny thee 
This thy purpose of destruction. 

Sure that heated mass in fluxion 
Will o'erwhelm thee quickly rising. 

And her friends bent low advising, 
From this madness to dissuade her — 
Spake her husband to persuade her. 

All her servants humbly bowing 
This strange act were disallowing. 

But the voice of their entreating, 
And remonstrance calmly meeting 
With a Christian's good profession, 
With her holy faith's confession 
She went forward to the trial 
Publicly to make denial 
Of regard for Pele's power, 
Where her fiercest wrath clouds glower. 

To her people thus declaring: 

I perform this deed of daring 
^0 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



In the name of God, the Ruler 
Of Kilauea, the regions cooler 
Of the air and space unmeasured, 
Terrors in his storehouse treasured 
For his day of wrath there waiting. 
And all things that he creating 
Still has power of controlling; 

If I die be this consoling, 
He alone my life has given. 
And these fiery billows driven, 
By his breath can never harm me. 
Nor can earth-born fears alarm me, 
While with faith in him unswerving 
I obey in humble serving. 

Thus their anxious voices stilling, 
Who had followed half unwilling 
With a faithful few attended 
From the lofty plain descended 
That Kilauea surrounded, 

She the priestesses confounded 
On that lofty plain assembled, 
Who their coward fears dissembled — 
Incoherently reproaching 
Sought to hinder her approaching. 



Zt 



Kapiolani, 



XIIL 

ROBLE queen Kapiolani! 
Fearless daughter of Hawaii! 
To Kilauea descending 
With that faithful few attending 
Over steps all seamed and jagged. 
Passing bushes stript and ragged. 
Pausing with deliberation. 
In that dreadful isolation, 
With the furnace 'neath her burning, 
To her faithful people turning, 
Plucks the sacred fruit tradition. 
Only on this one condition, 
Grants for use that first an off'ring. 
To the goddess Pele proffering, 
They her wrath should stay — in presence 
Of volcanic effervescence, 
The ahola berries eating, 
The tabti contemptuous treating, 
32 



A Tale of Hawaii. 

Pele's mandate violating, 

Sacred fruit as common rating — 

Stands in sight of fires red glowing. 

Maddened waves before her flowing 

And the fearful upward blazing 

Of the flames so blinding, dazing, 

Sweeping o'er the floor that melting 

As a heated metal smelting, 

Heaves and glows its form still changing, 

O'er the surface sometimes ranging, 

Cooling, hardening, then upheaving, 

And before the fire wedge cleaving, 

Breaks and sinks into the burning — 

There before that deep lake turning, 

Ate the sacred berries showing 

Pele's right of them bestowing 

Was a cunning priestly fiction. 

Was the priestess' own restriction. 

With majestic calm proceeding, 
She her trembling servants leading 
Reached the floor with fissures broken, ^ 
Of that fearful action token. 
That its surface ever changes 
Piling up those rugged ranges,) 



33 



Kapiolani, 

While from out each crevice steaming 
Spits the fires beneath them gleaming. 
Breathing forth the gas injurious, 
Vapors heavy and sulphurous. 

Standing on the glassy surface, 
Striped by many a dangerous crevice, 
She into that sea all glowing — 
She into the fire waves flowing, 
Cast great stones its power assailing. ' 

By its raging fires unquailing, 
Loud above its noisy sputter. 
Her defiance she did utter. 

By her faith in Christ enabled 
She defied that goddess fabled. 

Then did her attendants needing 
Firmer faith stand by her pleading, 
By the crater, speak in terror, 
Still enthralled by ancient error. 
' Pele false and helpless knowing, 
And believing the dread flowing 
Of the lava streams emerging 
From the pit with mighty urging 
Of continuous ignition. 
And volcanic flames emission, 



34 



A Tale of Hawaii. 

Noxious flames and smoth'ring gases. 
And the huge plutonic masses 
From its depths with force ejected 
By a power supreme directed, 
Spake they for the queen's deterring, 
Groundless fears their pulses stirring. 

Pele's temple safely treading 
Yet her threatened vengeance dreading 
They beheld their queen audacious 
Agitate the flood rapacious, 
Lake whose waves with fitful motion, 
Like the stormy waves of ocean 
Sometimes rage with fury heated, 
Rise and drive the flame white sheeted 
'Gainst the clouds above suspended. 

Truth but partly comprehended 
Freed them not from superstition. 

They presented their petition 
For the fearless queen's deterring, 
In their hasty speech concurring, 
Lest she fall, by Pele dying. 

Calmly to their words replying 
Then the brave Kapiolani, 
Hurling with her strong arms tawny, 



35 



Kapiolani, 

Other stones into the burning 
To her fearful servants turning- 
Her obedient ones there waiting, 
And these terrors contemplating, 
The unearthly noises hearing 
To their unlearned minds appearing 
Pele's threatening voice of thunder. 
Breaking th' nether rocks asunder 
Under the thin crust 'neath them speaking:, 
Seething vapors round them reeking, 
Pangs of mortal fear enduring, 
Uttered she these words assuring: 

I for this do fear no evil, 
That from all these fires coeval 
With the world's remote existence. 
When the land had not consistence. 
But a crust was growing ever 
Like this floor remaining never 
On the formless sea still flowing 
Like a shadow coming, going, 
Pele from these fires appalling, 
Can evoke if on them calling. 
I who serve Jehovah peerless, 
Stand in Pele's presence fearless. 



36 



A Tale of Hav/aii, 

He alone these fires hath kindled. 
Pele, who your faith has swindled, 
To destroy has not the power, 
And these raging fires that glower. 
And these rushing flames are harmless, 
And these dreadful forces armless. 
If the Lord forever reigning, 
And all things with bounds restraining, 
Give them not divine permission. 
Send them not with his commission. 

His the power and grace eternal, 
That can save from fires infernal. 



i7 



Kapiolani, 



XIV. 

CHEN upon the isle Hawaii, 
From the shores of th' fiery deep sea, 
Rose the sound of voices human. 

Where the awful flames illumine 
Caverns deep and upward flashing 
Crest the thick waves onward dashing, 
Tinge the clouds above them pending, 
Dense dark clouds around extending, 
And their brightness oft concealing. 
Rose the shout of triumph pealing. 
Rose a hymn of praise to heaven. 
Strange as if earth's pillars seven, 
From beneath with sound euphonious 
Should an anthem sing harmonious ! 

Triumphed there Kapiolani, 
With her servants wild and tawny, 
Straight of hair with nose expanding. 
In that crater's mouth all standing. 

3S 



A Tale of Hawaii. 

Once with blinding superstition 
They accepted the tradition, 
Metamorphosing the forces, 
That in Nature's hidden courses, 
Are occult in operation — 
Terrible in demonstration, 
Into mad, malicious creatures, 
With distorted, hideous features. 
With the power of volition. 
Mythological tradition, 
Once believed by all that nation 
Taught that all the foul creation, 
That inhabit that pit smoking. 
Did obey her priests invoking. 
Of the spirits who there revel 
Pele chief and fiercest devil. 
Living ever delitescent. 
Where the fires are incandescent, 
In the sheeted flames residing. 
Bathed where rushing flames colliding, 
Sparkle most in effervescence. 

Robed in deepest erubescence, 
All her followers, fire devouring. 
Murderous war the weak overpowering. 



39 



Kapiolani, 

Loud, terrific, crashing thunder, 

And canoe destroyer under 

Peaceful waves whose treacherous rolling, 

He with perfidy controlling. 

Brings 'gainst wrecking rocks employing. 

In her vengeful errands joying. 

She sends forth to do her pleasure, 

Empty out her wratJiful measure. 

Now the elements obeyed not 
And the furious vassals stayed not 
The irreverent proceeding 
Of the queen her servants leading 
To the fountain ever seething. 
She defiance deeply breathing, 
Humbled Pele's pride long vaunted. 

By her faith serene undaunted 
In Jehovah there exulting, 
For the vict'ry thus resulting, 
For his goodness them sustaining, 
They the goddess thus disdaining. 
Sang a hymn Jehovah praising. 

In the crater upward gazing. 
Praised they him whose reign extending 
Over all things, never ending. 



40 



A Tale of Hawaii. 

And obedience exacting 

From these energies thus acting 

Through each medium fixed and lawful, 

Manifesting power awful, 

To his people brings salvation, 

To his enemies sends damnation. 

They o'er Pele triumphed singing 
Notes of gladness loudly ringing 
With the fires beneath, before them, 
And the black clouds rising o'er them, 
With the bass of thunder blending. 
Loud soprano, cadence ending 
Rev'rently triumphant singing — 
In their hearts great thoughts were springing 

Then this Christian of Hawaii, 
Brave and true Kapiolani, 
With her faithful servants kneeling. 
Moved by pious grateful feeling 
To Jehovah Omnipresent, 
Wise and good and self-existent. 
Lord of earth and heaven praying. 
Owned his power his foes dismaying. 

Kneeling there with hands uplifted. 
Looking through the clouds that drifted 



4t 



Kapiolani, 

'Round and 'neath the sky high arching, 
'Cross that vaulted roof swift marching. 
And as in cathedral spacious 
Shad'wing forms in dim light gracious 
Rests a dome on walls deep graven, 
Saw that band the still light shining 
Through the cloud and smoke combining, 
And the while the thunders sounding, 
Not an echo there rebounding. 
From the walls all scarred and broken, 
Of the outer world brought token, 
Their low prayers together blended, 
Worship of their hearts ascended 
Till in humble adoration 
Faith had perfect confirmation. 



42 



A Tale of Hawaii, 



XV. 

CAME again Kapiolani, 
Came the brave queen of Hawaii, 
From that cloister deep and solemn, 
Dark with many a shading column, 
With that faithful few attending, 
Came a thousand feet ascending, 
And a joyful answer bringing 
To her friends in deep fear clinging 
To the ledge and from the burning 
Hoping not their safe returning. 

Standing there with deep emotion, 
High above the girdling ocean — 
They into the crater peering — 
Spake the queen Jehovah fearing. 

You have seen the terrors cryptic. 
Like the lake apocalyptic, 
Lake of fire and brimstone blending, 
Burning with a flame unending, 
43 



Kapiolani, 

God's fierce judgment representing, 
And beheld the rocks indenting 
Fire jets strike like wrath impending 
Ever upward smoke ascending 
Smoke and flame ascending ever, 
And their hot breath ceasing never. 
Now give God his rightful glory. 
For your superstitions hoary, 
In his clearer light have vanished. 
Pele's name from hence is banished. 



44 

LcfC. 



A Tale of Hawaii. 



XVI. 

i^OW upon the isle Hawaii 
IC Perished is the name of Pele. 
There Kilanea still smoking, 
Heeds no priestess her invoking, 
And the same volcanic terrors 
Bind no longer priestly errors, 
Nor the people sacrificing 
Seek to still the tempest rising. 

But each man beside his neighbor 
Tills the earth with peaceful labor, 
And the fields with fruit are waving. 

From the shores the seas are laving. 
Come the ships we now are sending 
Bringing word of church spires pointing 
To the heavens whence Christ's anointing. 



45 



Kapiolani. 



XVII.. 

CHERE the flag we love is floating 
Over men who now are voting. 
Would that all who now are wearing 
Freedom's crown were true and daring! 




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